Sweet Talk Boxed Set (Ten NEW Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research plus BONUS Novel) (131 page)

Being gone for so long, she wasn’t exactly sure where they were on the coastline to know where to turn in the dunes to get back to his house. Things had changed a lot over the past few years. The walk back seemed a lot longer.

“Right here,” he said pointing to a small cluster of lights atop a pole that looked like a miniature lighthouse.

He stopped her just before they climbed the steps to cross back over the road.

“Elli, this has been really nice.”

“It has. Thank you. I enjoyed it.”

He took her hands into his and faced her. “Damn, I’ve missed you,” he said leaning his forehead to hers.

Her lips trembled as she tried to take a breath to steady her racing heart. Why was it so easy to fall back into an old routine? It was like muscle memory. She knew better, and she’d come here with absolutely no intention of falling into his trap. He’d broken her heart into a million pieces, and yet here she was letting him reel her in again.

She couldn’t allow Holden Moore to have as much a hold on her heart right this minute as he had all those years ago.

“You are such a sweetheart.” He dropped another kiss to her lips. Quick, gentle and sweet. “Let’s get back to the house before you freeze.”

If he thought that tremble was from the temperature out here, he was sorely mistaken.

CHAPTER EIGHT

When Holden dropped Elli back off at Sol~Mate after midnight, she was in a state of confusion. The early night she’d planned had ended up in a very long and unexpected chain of events. And the last kiss he’d laid on her before getting out of the car was just as toe-tingling as the first. It was all she could do to walk, not run, from the car.

Her grip was firm on the handrail; a splinter was the least of her worries compared with tumbling down the stairs or — worse — falling for Holden. The wine, the moonlight, that goodnight kiss had her feeling a little on top of the world and wobbly all at the same time.

As she took the last step and headed for the front door, she almost had a heart attack when the rocking chair squeaked just a few feet away.

“Sorry. Did I scare you?” Brody rocked forward and then back, pitching a piece of popcorn in the air and catching it in his mouth, then slugging back a sip of beer. He’d caught that piece, but there was evidence that he wasn’t too good at it though, because there was a lot of popcorn on the deck all around him.

“Where’d you find that?”

“The popcorn? Nana popped it for me before she went to bed. I guess I’m still on West Coast time. I’m wide awake.”

“I meant the Internet connectivity. Is that an iPad? Are you on the Internet?”

“Oh, there for a second I thought you were calling me out for drinking a beer.”

“Hardly. If Nana hasn’t mentioned it, she keeps the refrigerator downstairs stocked with it. She swears it prevents kidney stones. Frankly, I think she just loves beer. Help yourself.”

“Cool. Oh, and the Internet. I brought it along.”

“You don’t seem the type.”

“Oh, you have me all figured out?”

“Apparently not. Maybe I can hitch a ride on your Wi-Fi if you don’t mind?”

“Anytime.”

“Well, I guess I better get to bed.” She reached for the front door.

“You were gone a long time for what was supposed to be a quick night out. Turned out to be a pretty hot date, I guess?”

There was that word.
Date
. Why did it make her want to turn and run? And although she’d convinced herself it was not a date, it sure as heck had turned into one. A really good one.

She walked over and sat in the rocker next to Brody’s. “It was a good night.”

“Cool. Who is the lucky guy?”

“Someone I met here on this very beach a long, long time ago.”

“Summer love,” he sang it out. “Nothing finer.”

“Nothing can break your heart as fast either.”

“Sounds like experience talking.”

“Been there. Done that.”

“But you’re not a little girl anymore. You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

She plunged a hand into his bowl of popcorn. “I hope you’re right.” She tossed a piece of popcorn high in the air and caught it in her mouth.

“Sweet.” Brody looked impressed.

“You need some practice,” she said pointing at the popcorn scattered around the deck. “Hope you’re better at skimboarding. ’Night.” She went inside and headed up to her room.

She brushed her teeth, changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed only to get right back up to open the window. She’d need an extra blanket, but she needed the sound of the ocean tonight. The old chest at the foot of the bed would have an extra one. As she lifted the heavy lid, the welcome smell of the old cedar was nice. She used to keep her most treasured items in this chest over the summer. The quilt was folded neatly on top. Taking it out, she caught a glimpse of the old boxes of memories. She was so tempted to go through them, but half of those memories were from her days with Holden. Better to not dwell on the past. She wasn’t that little girl anymore.

***

The soft murmur of voices rose from downstairs, pulling her from slumber. She squinted as the sun poured through the open window. The gulls calling to each other as the waves crashed was soothing. And even though she’d been up late, she felt ready and raring to go this morning.

She slipped on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

Elli wasn’t halfway down the stairs before the smell of sausage hit her. When she rounded the corner, Brody was sitting at the kitchen table.

“Thought you’d be fast asleep. On Pacific Time and all,” she said.

“Nope. Woke up with the sun. Already been out on the beach this morning. Great sunrise here.”

“The best,” she agreed.

“Sure is,” Nana said. “My husband and I fell in love watching those sunrises. What kind of eggs can I make you this morning, Elli?” Nana was always chipper this time of the day, and she looked ten years younger this morning. Having someone to fuss over suited her.

“Whatever you’re fixing for you and Brody is fine with me.”

Brody was sipping orange juice while Nana stood vigil over the frying pan with a spatula in her hand. “Over medium all the way around then.”

“Smells great,” Elli said. “Been a while since I’ve had your breakfast.” Elli grabbed napkins and utensils and set the table. “My grandmother happens to fry the best eggs in the world. She has a knack for making those edges just perfectly crispy. I swear no one does it better.”

“Maybe I should have three instead of just two then,” he said.

“You got it, sport,” Nana said. And she looked so happy this morning. Elli hadn’t ever really thought about Nana getting lonely out here, but certainly, especially in the off season, it would get that way.

“If it’s not too much trouble,” Brody added.

“Got to keep the help’s strength up, don’t I?”

“Careful now. I might be tempted to stretch out the job if you treat me too nice.”

Nana laughed. “Somehow I don’t think you’re the type.” She snapped her fingers. “I’m ready for Brody’s plate.”

Elli handed it to her so she could fill his plate with the fried eggs, sausage and three points of toast. Elli slid the plate in front of him then got the homemade apple butter out of the fridge and set it on the table.

“You go ahead and start there. We’ll catch up,” Nana said.

The old cast iron skillet sizzled and popped as Nana finished cooking their eggs, then they both sat down and joined Brody.

“This breakfast is amazing,” Brody said.

Nana’s eyes danced. “This is a good morning.”

Elli finished hers first. She got up and topped off Nana's and Brody’s coffees. “Either of y’all need anything while I’m up?”

“No, thank you,” Nana said. “Where are you all in a rush off to this morning, Elli?”

“I’m going to run into town and get the couple of things that Brody needs and get your business license and permits in order.”

“That would be a relief. I don’t really understand what the holdup is on all of that.”

“Well, I’ll get it all sorted out. Don’t you worry.” She put her dishes in the sink and kissed Nana on the cheek. “I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

“I left the information on the router bits I need on the table next to the door,” Brody said.

“No problem. Anything else you need?”

“That should do it. I’m going to head on down to the shop and get started.” Brody threw his T-shirt over his shoulder and whisked out the door and down the stairs.

“He’s a nice man,” Nana said. “He reminds me of your grandfather a little. So full of energy.” Her lips spread into a gentle smile. “I never could get him to just sit and take it easy.”

“You’re the same way. You were a perfect couple.”

“We were. He was romantic too. I don’t think there are many men as romantic as your grandfather.”

No. Nana was probably right, but after last night Holden might be a close second.

***

Elli had never had a reason to come down to the new town municipal building before, but now she knew why the locals called it the Taj Mahal. It looked a bit out of place compared with the rest of the town. The building was where the old elementary school had once been. They’d torn down the eyesore and put up a new structure. It was a beauty for sure, but it looked like it belonged somewhere like Palm Beach rather than Sand Dollar Cove. It had all the beauty that a beach building in a fancy tourist town should have, right down to the fancy carved doors with the town’s emblem and cool brass handles that had sand dollars cast into them. Those had to have cost a pretty penny.

She went inside and followed the arrows to a small office down the end of the hall labeled with a paper sign that read Permits. That seemed a lot more like Sand Dollar Cove casual.

“Good morning. I’m Elli Eversol. I need to get some permits straightened out.”

“Sure, Miss Eversol. What can I help you with?”

“Well, my grandmother is Sandy Eversol and she has run the shops on the pier, but she said she was having trouble renewing her permits this year. I thought I’d come down and handle it for her while I’m in town.”

“Oh.” The young woman’s face skewed. “Ya know, I’m not going to be able to help you on that just yet.”

“Why not?”

“Well, that’s still under discussion. The town hall meeting is tonight though, and the decisions will be made following that session.”

“What kind of decisions?”

She leaned across the counter. “Look, I really doubt the pier is going to reopen. It’s been a money pit for this town over the last ten years, and we’re just going further into debt. Can you believe they haven’t even been able to insure the pier the last few years? I liked to die when I heard that. I have a feeling they are going to have to finally bite the bullet and shut it down. It’s just not safe.”

It totally took her off guard. Close down the pier? They couldn’t do that.

“But that pier is part of the charm of this town. It’s the biggest tourism draw we have.”

“I know. It’s such an awful situation. But that’s why they brought in that high-paid commissioner guy to make some big changes. I don’t know what he’ll be able to do, but you know I don’t make the decisions. I’m just a clerk. Anyway, you probably want to attend the meeting.” She leaned down and took a flyer from a folder and handed it to her. “Here’s the information on it. It’s a special meeting set up just for that.”

“Well, I’m shocked no one is talking about it. This is awful.” Elli snatched the paper from the girl’s hand and then pasted a smile on her face. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t your doing. It’s just frustrating. I’m actually really thankful you filled me in.”

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”

Elli walked out wondering why Pam hadn’t mentioned it to her. It had to be the talk of the town, or maybe like always this town just assumed someone would find a way to keep things the same…the way they always did. Only this time she had a feeling it might be bigger than anything the town could turn around, especially if safety was the deciding factor.

If the pier didn’t reopen, Nana would be crushed.

Elli had to be at that meeting, and if there was anyone who could talk some sense into this town and a new commissioner it was her. She’d been the head of the debate team, and she loved this town as much as the people actually born here. Snippets of compelling arguments fought for attention in her mind as she started mentally preparing for the fight.

***

Elli dialed her office from her car. “Hey, can I speak to Bob? Sure, I’ll hang on.”

The hold music played a little loud. She’d have to figure out how to adjust that.

“Yello.” Her partner’s hello always sounded like he was calling bingo numbers.

“Hey, Bob. Elli, here.”

“How’s it going at the beach?”

“Good.” That wasn’t exactly true. “Look, I’m going to being staying down here for a while. Can I get you to cover my clients and any new leads that I get while I’m here?”

“Of course. We can do a split.”

“No, I wouldn’t expect that. Really if you can just be sure everyone is happy there in Charlotte, I’ll be thrilled.”

“You got it. Don’t worry about things here. You covered me last year when all that was going on.”

“Yeah, that’s why I feel bad for asking. I know how much work it is, but thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“No worries. Just keep me posted on how things are going and let me know if I can help.”

“Will do.” She hadn’t worried even one second that he might not be happy to help, but she did hate asking. It was never something she’d been good at.

With that done she could focus on the problems at hand. Aside from the pier, which there wasn’t much she could do until she got all the details at the town hall tonight, she needed to get the beach house ready to show. It’d probably be a lot easier to sell the beach house with Nana out of it. So first things first: Find a house for Nana.

She went straight to Carolina By The Sea so she could use Pam’s printer to print out the comps and current listings she’d pulled.